Community picnic brings people out to fairgrounds

PLAINS – The community picnic at the Sanders County Fairgrounds in Plains was not as well attended as organizers were hoping but according to coordinator Ken Jones, those who did come out had a good time. The picnic included elements of the farmers market, horseback rides for the kids, a watermelon eating contest and games.

“The people that came out had a great time,” said Jones. “A lot of times we take our friends and neighbors for granted so this was an opportunity for people to acknowledge and appreciate each other.”

According to organizers, the event served as a fun way to celebrate the community of Plains. It was also hoped that the picnic would help raise awareness about activities that will be undertaken in the future by organizers to help bolster the local economy.

The initiative put forth by Governor Steve Bullock called the Made in Montana program would provide support for products made in the state and assist business owners in getting their products to the consumer.

While some people perused the variety of items available from vendors, some people lined up for a game known as hog-calling. About five teams of two were blindfolded and placed on opposite sides of a field. Standing about 50 yards apart, the object of the game was to be the first team to find each other by calling out words that your teammate could recognize.

Team members stumbled around calling out to each other before Kendall and Rachel Knight collided for the win. The winning team received gift certificates as prizes.

The focus of attendees next turned to the picnic tables for the watermelon eating contest. About ten contestants sat down at the table with half a watermelon to cut into quarters.

As competitors devoured bite after bite of watermelon with juices dripping down chins and onto clothing, a clear leader emerged in Emma Davis. As contestants struggled to catch up, Davis easily fended off her competitors taking the title of Plains watermelon eating champion.

Davis managed to accomplish the feat without spilling a single drop of watermelon juice on her clothing. About 20 people witnessed the spectacle, cheering on the eaters and laughing at the mess.

According to Jones, the event also served to raise public awareness about plans of the farmers market coordinators during the upcoming winter months. Instead of continuing the market throughout the year and into next spring, the attention of coordinators will focus instead on a campaign introduced by Gov. Bullock.

The Made in Montana initiative seeks to attach recognizable labels to products that are made in the state creating brand recognition that Jones and others hope will bring dollars into the lagging Sanders County economy.

“There are some who want to continue the market during the winter but I don’t think that’s very realistic,” said Jones. “We will instead focus on working together to try and bring money from outside the area into Sanders County.”

According to the Made in Montana website, the program is part of the International Trade and Relations Bureau in the Business Resources Division of the Montana Department of Commerce.

The program “helps build recognition for products that are authentically Montana. This means they are grown, created made and/or enhanced in the state.”

The program offers logo products, advertising and promotional assistance, an online product directory and trade show assistance.